What is the best day trip from London?

Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath combined is the most popular day trip. If you prefer just one destination, Bath is the most rewarding for a full day, while Windsor is perfect for a half-day trip.

Is it better to take a tour or go independently?

For Stonehenge and the Cotswolds, a tour is more practical due to limited public transport. For Windsor, Oxford, and Cambridge, independent travel by train is easy and gives you more flexibility.

How far in advance should I book day trips?

Book guided tours at least a week in advance, especially in summer. Popular tours like Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath sell out days ahead. Train tickets are cheapest when booked in advance too.

Best Day Trips from London: Windsor, Stonehenge & Beyond

The best day trips from London, from ancient Stonehenge to the dreaming spires of Oxford.

Updated: 19 March 2026

Windsor Castle

Just 40 minutes from London by train, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been home to the Royal Family for over 900 years. Highlights include the State Apartments, St George's Chapel (where Harry and Meghan married), and the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The charming town of Windsor itself has great restaurants and shops. You can visit independently or as part of a guided tour that combines Windsor with Stonehenge and Bath.

Stonehenge

The prehistoric stone circle on Salisbury Plain is one of the most mysterious monuments in the world. Built over 4,500 years ago, its purpose and construction methods are still debated by historians. The visitor centre has excellent exhibitions explaining the latest theories. The stones themselves are awe-inspiring in person. Getting there independently requires a car or train to Salisbury plus a bus, so a guided tour from London is the most convenient option.

Bath

The beautiful Georgian city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Roman Baths, stunning honey-coloured architecture, and connections to Jane Austen. The Roman Baths are remarkably well-preserved and the audio guide (narrated by Bill Bryson) is one of the best museum audio guides anywhere. Walk along the Royal Crescent, visit Bath Abbey, and stop at Sally Lunn's for the famous Bath Bun. Bath is 90 minutes from London Paddington by train.

Oxford

The city of dreaming spires is home to the world's most famous university and over 800 years of academic history. Visit the Bodleian Library (one of the oldest in Europe), Christ Church college (which inspired Harry Potter's Hogwarts dining hall), the Radcliffe Camera, and the Ashmolean Museum (free). The covered market has been trading since 1774. Oxford is just over an hour from London Paddington by train or coach.

Cambridge

Oxford's eternal rival offers a slightly different atmosphere: smaller, quieter, and centred around the beautiful River Cam. Punting on the river past the college "Backs" is the quintessential Cambridge experience. Visit King's College Chapel (a masterpiece of Gothic architecture), the Fitzwilliam Museum (free), and the Eagle pub where Watson and Crick announced their discovery of DNA. Cambridge is about an hour from London King's Cross.

The Cotswolds

Rolling green hills, honey-coloured stone villages, and country pubs with roaring fires. The Cotswolds is the picture-postcard English countryside that visitors dream about. Villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Castle Combe are impossibly pretty. A guided tour is the best option as public transport in the Cotswolds is limited. Tours typically visit 3-4 villages in a full day. It is the perfect antidote to the buzz of London.